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Higher Education - International Students

Why study at Blackpool and The Fylde College?

  • National award winner for quality of teaching and curriculum development.
  • Outstanding quality of provision, confirmed at our most recent Government inspection.
  • More than 70 courses at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Subjects include business, engineering, computing, hospitality management, media, art and design and many more.
  • Three Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) feature excellent links with industry, enhancing your future career prospects.
  • Good opportunities to find part-time work locally to help towards the overall costs of your studies.
  • Relatively low levels of tuition fees in comparison to other colleges and universities.

International students tend to perform well here and settle in quickly. We’re not huge like some of the other UK institutions so our friendly atmosphere makes it easier for you to make friends. From the moment you apply to when you graduate, our International Team will provide you with all the help and support you need to make your experience here a happy and rewarding one.

How do I apply?

For a full-time place on a university course, you need to apply online through a central agency called UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). Their website is: www.ucas.com However, if you are interested in either the Postgraduate Professional Programme in International Hospitality Management or the Professional Graduate Certificate in Education, Post-compulsory (PGCE) you need to apply to the College direct. For more details about making a direct application, please go to the How to Apply section.

Do I need to be fluent in English?

Your English Language skills, both spoken and written, need to be of a standard to enable you to cope with the demands of your chosen course. The minimum IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL scores are detailed on our website. A score of 6.0 is normally required. English Language tuition is a possibility for those who need to brush up their skills.

What does it cost?

Tuition fees for all our university courses currently stand at 6000GBP for the 08/09 academic year. Some courses may incur additional fees so please check our website for details. We will ask you to pay a deposit to secure your place, and to pay the balance in full either in advance or at enrolment. Information about payment terms along with the College Fees Policy is available online.

How do I get a student visa?

Once we have offered you a full-time place, you will be eligible to apply for a student visa. We suggest you contact the nearest British Embassy office in your country as soon as you’ve made the decision to study here to discuss the exact visa requirements. You will need to show you can pay the course fees and have enough money to live on in the UK while you study here.

Where will I live?

Before you arrive in the UK, our International Student Welfare and Accommodation Officer will help you to find a suitable and affordable place to live. This could be with a host family or in private rented accommodation. If you have any special needs or requirements, please contact the International Student Welfare and Accommodation Officer, who will be happy to help.

What happens when I get to the UK?

We will arrange a free taxi to collect you from Manchester Airport or Blackpool North train station. When you arrive at the College, our International Welfare Officer will meet you at your induction. Their job is to support you throughout your stay here and provide practical help with things like opening a bank account and registering with a doctor. During your first week, you will follow an induction programme designed to help you to settle in to College life. We also organise exciting visits and social events, giving you the chance to learn about the local area, the culture, and to get to know other students.

Can I undertake paid work while I study?

International students holding a UK student visa may legally work up to 20 hours per week during term/semester study weeks. During summer/Easter/Christmas vacations and the placement period there is not a limit to the number of hours per week a student may take paid employment. Balancing your studies with work commitments does however require careful planning.

Contact Us

It’s likely you will have lots of questions about moving over here to study and we’ve answered what we think are the main ones. For more information, including links to other useful sites – go to our International Section. If you need to ask us anything, please contact us on: